Havlat, Sharks beat Avalanche 5-1

SAN JOSE -- The Sharks' next-to-last playoff tuneup had a postseason feel, as San Jose got Marty Havlat's first hat trick in almost a decade and solid goaltending from Alex Stalock to earn a physical 5-1 win over Colorado on Friday in the Sharks' last home game of the regular season.

Dan Boyle and Patrick Marleau also scored for the Sharks on a night that featured the return of rookie forward Tomas Hertl, who played in his first game in almost four months after he was medically cleared to return to action earlier in the day.

But Havlat stole the show. One game after he was a healthy scratch against the Anaheim Ducks, Havlat, on a line with Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture, scored a natural hat trick in the third period.

It was Havlat's first hat trick since November 2005 when he played with Ottawa -- a span of 3,083 days.

"He responded well, and not just the goals," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said. "It was the way he carried himself on the ice, the way he competed nose over the puck and battled. I thought that line was our best line tonight, and he was a big part of it."

Havlat's first goal was a redirection off a shot by Couture, the second came on his own rebound on a breakaway, and the third was an empty-netter with 4:56 left.

"It doesn't matter who scored the goals tonight," Havlat said. "We didn't have to win tonight. We didn't want to lose, for sure, but it's about how we end up the regular season. Now we get ready for the real season."

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Havlat's third-period outburst provided more than enough support for Stalock, who finished with 32 saves to up his season record to 12-5-2.

Naturally, McLellan was asked if Stalock made a statement with his play to start the Sharks' playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings next week.

"Well he didn't make a statement tonight -- he's made it all year. Tonight he just added to it," McLellan said. "He made some very good saves."

Hertl, who had knee surgery Dec. 31, didn't figure in the scoring but generally looked comfortable as he skated on a third line with James Sheppard and Tommy Wingels.

Hertl's best scoring opportunity came early in the third period. He took control of the puck and made his way to the front of the Avalanche net, but his shot went off the post and out of play.

Hertl had 15:00 of ice time on 19 shifts, but the biggest thing for the Sharks was that he came out of the game still feeling physically healthy.

Asked how he felt on the ice, Hertl said "not good" but added that the knee held up fine.

"I am happy with any chance. Now it's not much matter scoring," Hertl said. "Playoff time it's more important, because it's L.A. I not much like L.A. this season."

Defenseman Scott Hannan took a high hit from Avalanche winger Patrick Bordeleau in the first period and did not return. McLellan said after the game that Hannan would not make the trip to Phoenix for Saturday's game.

Sharks rookie forward Matt Nieto was reassigned to Ontario of the ECHL so he'll able to be close to his mother, who is having cancer-related surgery next week. Nieto will rejoin the team next week.